Arthurs et al. 2009. Evaluation of Neoseiulus cucumeris and Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as biological control agents of chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on pepper. Biological Control 49 (2009) 91–96. PDF
Funded in paret by the USDA’s Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture Research (T-STAR) Program, American Floral Endowment, and the USDA-ARS Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative.
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Chilli Thrips,
Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood
An adult feeding
on a yellow rose blossom.
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First instar larva
Second instar larva
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This photo is an adult
flower thrips. Note the heavy
setae on the tip of this flower thrips abdomen. These don't occur on
the abdomen of a Chilli thrips.
This photo demonstrates
the relative size of a Chilli thrips adult (left) compared to a
flower thrips adult (right).
This series of
photos shows the use of a paint palette used to
sample for thrips. The foliage of the plant being
sampled is "slapped" against white colored palette.
The palette is then inverted to allow the trash to
fall off making it easier to observe and collect the
insects. Thrips
are then collect using a small paint brush and then
placed in a tube containing (~70%) alcohol.
Orchid Thrips,
Chaetanaphothrips orchidii (Moutlon)
This species of
thrips looks very much like Chilli thrips. However, there is
a "break" in the dark coloring of the wings. This
gives the Orchid thrips the appearance of having 2 dark
spots on the front portion of the abdomen.
The following
photos demonstrate damage that is being attributed to the Chilli
Thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood. This pest was found
attacking roses in Palm Beach County. Serious problems with
thrips have also been noted in the Orlando area. We know that the redbanded thrips,
Selenothrips rubrocinctus
(Giard), is also causing significant damage to Knock Out roses in
the area (see Red Banded Thrips Link) but the adult
redbanded thrips is black in color whereas the Chilli Thrips
is much smaller and very light brown or straw colored.
This new pest
has been found in 16 counties from Gainesville (Alachua
County) to Key West (Monroe County). It has been found
in 62 retail nurseries and 1 wholesale nursery. Of the
positive detections, 54 were from Rosa sp. (rose), 10
from Capsicum sp. (pepper) and 1 from Illicium
sp. (anise). See the Regulatory Update file below.
The presence of this pest was
brought to our attention by William Schall,
University of Florida, IFAS Extension from the Palm Beach
County Office. The Department of Plant Industry (DPI, FDACS) is the responsible agency for identifying the
specimens and sending us the alert. Click on the icon
below to view the DPI pest alert.
If you suspect that you
might have this pest attacking you plants please call
1-888-397-1517
An infested rose bud and heavily damaged foliage found in the Winter
Park, Florida municipal rose garden.
Infested rose plants in the same Winter Park rose garden.
The first and
second photos show symptoms of thrips damage to
new growth on roses. The last photo demonstrates what the new
foliage should look like.
Florida Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program Report No.
2006-08-SDS-01: “Assessment of Chili Thrips, Scirtothrips
dorsalis Hood, in Florida” A.J. Silagyi and W.N. Dixon.
PDF
Mini Risk Assessment Chili thrips/yellow tea thrips,
Scirtothrips dorsalis HoodLINK
Central Florida Rose Society Article on "New Thips Problems"LINK
Comparative effectiveness of
chemical insecticides against the chilli thrips, Scirtothrips
dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on pepper and their
compatibility with natural enemies.LINK
Evaluation of Possible Pathways of Introduction for
Scirtothrips
dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from the Caribbean into
the Continental United StatesLINK
Scirtothrips dorsalis
Identification Aid (courtesy of Tom Skarlinsky (PPQ Identifier,
Miami Plant Inspection Station)
LINK
SPRO Letter -
Detection of the Chilli
thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis
Hood) in Florida.LINK
Evaluation of Neoseiulus cucumeris and
Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as biological
control agents of chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis
(Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on pepper.
LINK
NATIONAL CHILLI THRIPS TASK
FORCE DOCUMENTS (pdf files)
Insecticides Labeled for the Control of Thrips on
Ornamental Plants
PLEASE NOTE: The following materials are have thrips listed
on their labels. This does not mean they have been tested for efficacy
against Chilli Thrips.
The compounds in bold yellow type
have been tested at least once and appear to be effective at significantly
reducing the population of this pest.
